Thailand is getting a law to allow voluntary chemical castration for sex offenders. What does it mean?

How do you deal with sex offenders to ensure they don't commit the crime again? The world has been trying to answer that question through stricter punishment, longer prison sentence, fines, etc. Thailand lawmakers have another idea - chemical castration. The punishment has been around in the world for a while now. 

What is the new Thai law?

1. Thai lawmakers approved a new law that would provide an option of voluntary castration to sex offenders. 
2. The option will be given to criminals who are likely to commit the crime once again after their release. 
3. It will also be given to offenders in lieu of shortening their punishment or prison sentence. 
4. Chemical castration of an offender needs to be approved by two doctors and the offenders will be monitored for 10 years after. They may also be made to wear electronic bracelets. 
5. The Bill was passed by the lower house in March and approved by lawmakers on July 11, 2022. However, it still requires approval from another house and the Royal establishment. 

What is chemical castration? Chemical castration uses oral medicines or injections to lower the testosterone levels in men in hope that their libido will also decrease. Supporters of the method say that it will in turn decrease the sexual attacks on women by men. 

The medicine used in the process is the same that is often prescribed to men to lower the risk of prostate cancer. The medicine's effect is not for lifetime, it needs to be regularly taken to keep testosterone levels low. Once the medication is stopped, hormone levels return to normal. 

On the downside, the medication can result in increased vulnerability to cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and weakened glucose and lipid metabolism.

Does it control crimes against women? Critics of chemical castration say that it doesn't really prevent crimes against women as the nature of a sexual attack is not really rooted in someone's testosterone levels or libido. Critics say crimes against women take place due to biasness and often hatred against the female gender. 

Penetration, rape or intercourse is only one of the many types of sexual violence against women. Reports also suggest that castrated men can further develop more hatred against women for their situation.

Countries that allow chemical castration: South Korea, some states in the US, Czech Republic, etc have adopted chemical castration for sex offenders.